Scarlet Letter Vocab

pristine

Unspoiled or in original condition.

impropriety

A failure to observe standards or show modesty.

haughty

Arrogantly superior and disdainful.

ignominy

Public shame or disgrace.

personage

A significant or notable person.

penance

Voluntary self-punishment as expression of repentance.

demeanor

Outward behavior or bearing.

transgress

Go beyond the bounds of a moral principle.

appellation

A name or title.

abashed

Embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.

evanescent

Soon vanishing or passing away.

infamy

Well known for some bad quality or deed.

inscrutable

Impossible to understand or interpret.

progenitors

Ancestors or direct forebears.

manifold

Many and various.

superfluous

Unnecessary, through being more than enough.

venerable

Accorded great respect because of age.

malice

The intention or desire to do evil.

inauspicious

Conducive to ill success; unpropitious.

wan

Pale and giving impression of illness.

apparition

A ghost or ghostlike image.

retribution

a deserved, severe punishment or payback given in response to a wrong, crime, or injustice.

sunder

Split apart or sever.

vehement

Showing strong feeling; forceful or passionate, intense, deeply felt

ponderous

Slow and clumsy due to great weight.

exemplary

Serving as a desirable model.

scrupulous

Diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details.

tumult

A loud, confused noise.

diabolical

Characteristic of the Devil; wicked.

importunate

Persistent, especially to annoyance.

abomination

A thing that causes disgust or hatred. It refers to something morally or spiritually detestable. Goes against conscience or morals

vigil

Keeping awake during time usually spent asleep.

celestial

Belonging or relating to heaven.

penitence

Regret, remorse, and sorrow for one’s own sin or wrongdoing.

grisly

Causing horror or dread. This is something physically detestable and is scary to LOOK at

despondent

In low spirits from loss of hope.

flourish

Grow or develop in a healthy way.

abyss

A deep or seemingly bottomless chasm.

doleful

Expressing sorrow; mournful, woe, or grief

colloquy

A conversation.

zeal

Great energy, enthusiasm, and eagerness

choleric

Bad-tempered or irritable.

irksome

Irritating or annoying.

pestilence

A fatal epidemic disease.

resolute

Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

dexterity

Skill in performing tasks.

vivacity

The quality of being lively and animated.

pensive

Engaged in deep or serious thought.

scintillate

Emit flashes of light or sparkle.

lamentation

crying out in grief or complaint over suffering, tragedy, or wrongs done to you or others. you’re voicing deep pain

haggard

Looking exhausted and unwell from fatigue.

tremulous

Shaking or quivering slightly.

prattle

Talk at length in a foolish way.

estrange

Cause to feel alienated or disconnected.

imperious

Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant.

gesticulate

Use gestures instead of speaking.

disquietude

A state of uneasiness or anxiety.

uncouth

Lacking good manners, refinement, or grace.

recompense

Make amends for loss or harm, pay back, or reward

plebeian

Belonging to the common people.

quaff

Drink heartily.

effervescence

Bubbles in liquid or lively enthusiasm.

jocular

Fond of joking or humorous.

martial

Associated with war or armed forces.

necromancy

Communicating with the dead to predict futures.

ethereal

Extremely delicate and light.

forlorn

Lonely, abandoned, isolated, desolate and miserable